At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and develop service partner relationships across EMEA, ensuring top-notch delivery and performance.
- Company: Ciena, a leader in high-speed connectivity with a people-first culture.
- Benefits: Flexible work environment, competitive salary, and a focus on individual growth and well-being.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for career advancement.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team making a real impact in the tech world while fostering meaningful connections.
- Qualifications: 5-8 years in partner management or operations, strong communication, and relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
As the global leader in high‑speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people‑first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well‑being, and belonging. We are a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.
Ciena is hiring two Partner Management Analysts to help shape, govern, and continuously improve the service partner ecosystem across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. This high‑impact role sits at the heart of Ciena’s service execution model, balancing commercial discipline, operational excellence, and partner performance to deliver exceptional customer outcomes at scale.
How You Will Make An Impact
- Own and develop service partner relationships across assigned EMEA countries, ensuring alignment with Ciena delivery, quality, and governance expectations.
- Drive partner performance across service level agreements (SLAs), quality metrics, and operational outcomes, addressing issues and escalations with urgency and structure.
- Strengthen cost competitiveness through request for quotation (RFQ) management, pricing analysis, and commercial negotiation with service partners.
- Lead regular partner business reviews, including quarterly business reviews (QBRs), in close collaboration with Customer Operations, Quality, and Procurement teams.
- Support forecasting, capacity planning, and demand alignment to ensure partner readiness for current and future service requirements.
- Identify operational, commercial, and delivery risks early, leading mitigation actions to protect customer experience and service continuity.
- Provide regional market insight to inform partner strategy, including labor trends, pricing dynamics, and competitive conditions.
The Must Haves
- 5–8 years of experience in partner management, vendor management, service delivery management, or operations within telecommunications or a comparable technical services environment.
- Demonstrated commercial acumen, including experience with RFQs, pricing evaluation, and cost management.
- Proven ability to manage delivery performance using data, key performance indicators (KPIs), and structured reporting.
- Strong relationship‑building skills with both internal stakeholders and external partners.
- Experience operating effectively in a matrixed, cross‑functional environment.
- Track record of managing service escalations and driving timely, effective resolution.
- Clear, confident, and structured communication skills, both written and verbal.
Nice To Haves
- Experience managing service partners or vendors across multiple EMEA countries.
- Familiarity with telecom installation, deployment, field services, or maintenance environments.
- Exposure to partner governance frameworks, performance scorecards, or maturity models.
- Experience interpreting contracts, commercial terms, or service policies.
- Multilingual capability in one or more European languages.
At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination. Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
Partner Manager (EU & UK) employer: Ciena
Ciena is an exceptional employer that prioritises a people-first culture, offering a flexible work environment that fosters individual growth and well-being. With a commitment to meaningful social impact and a focus on employee development, Ciena provides unique opportunities for career advancement in the dynamic field of high-speed connectivity. Joining Ciena means being part of a diverse team that values respect and inclusion, ensuring every voice is heard and valued.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Partner Manager (EU & UK)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Ciena on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the company culture and what they really value in a Partner Manager.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Ciena's recent projects and initiatives. We want to show that we’re not just interested in the role, but also in how we can contribute to their mission of high-speed connectivity.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice our STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for answering behavioural questions. This will help us articulate our past experiences clearly and demonstrate how we’ve tackled challenges in partner management.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating our enthusiasm for the role can keep us top of mind and show that we’re genuinely interested in joining the Ciena team.
We think you need these skills to ace Partner Manager (EU & UK)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Partner Manager role. Highlight your experience in partner management and any relevant achievements that align with Ciena's focus on service delivery and operational excellence.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven partner performance or managed service escalations in the past, and show us your passion for high-speed connectivity.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since clear communication is key in this role, make sure your application reflects your ability to convey ideas effectively. Use structured language and be concise, as this will demonstrate your written communication skills right from the start.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. This way, you can ensure your application reaches the right people and you’ll have access to all the latest updates about your application status.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ciena
✨Know Your Partners
Before the interview, research Ciena's partner ecosystem and understand their key service partners in the EMEA region. Familiarise yourself with their performance metrics and any recent news about them. This will show your genuine interest and help you discuss how you can enhance these relationships.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare to discuss your experience with RFQs, pricing evaluations, and cost management. Bring specific examples of how you've successfully negotiated with partners or improved service delivery through data-driven decisions. This will demonstrate your ability to drive partner performance effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Use structured communication when discussing your past experiences, especially around managing service escalations and driving resolutions. This will reflect your strong relationship-building skills and your ability to operate in a cross-functional environment.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to identify risks early. Prepare examples where you've successfully mitigated operational or commercial risks in previous roles. This will highlight your proactive approach and readiness for the challenges of the Partner Manager role.
